Vail, Colorado
Internationally known for its incomparable world-class skiing and riding, the Vail Valley additionally offers an exciting nightlife, unique shops, gourmet dining and nonstop outdoor adventure, summer or winter.
Vail Mountain, 100 miles west of Denver, is larger than nearly every other North American ski area, and is linked by a well placed network of lifts and trails. There are 1,220 acres of varied runs on the front side, and the existence of the Back Bowls make this a skiers' heaven. Those same slopes provide the perfect trails for mountain bike devotees in summer. The village hosts a wide variety of festivals year round.
Consistently ranked the country's most popular ski resort by skiers and ski magazines almost since its inception, Vail has the look of a Tyrolean village, and is visited regularly by almost as many Europeans as Americans. This gives its restaurants, hotels, and shops a continental air. The size of the mountain and the varying degrees of difficulty and excellent condition of its trails are the main draw.
Vail and Aspen are often compared, and just as often, they are contrasted. Aspen is an authentic mining town. Vail resembles a Bavarian village. Gerald Ford, Dan Quayle, and John Sununu set the trend for the retreat of statesmen to Vail to escape the pressures of public life. Thornton Wilder, Ortega Y Gasset and Albert Schweitzer traveled to Aspen at the inception of the Aspen Institute, and other intellectuals and writers followed. Each resort area has its separate and distinct personality.
Two people with a vision planned what has become Vail. They were Pete Seibert, a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division that prepared for alpine warfare in the surrounding Gore and Sawatch ranges during World War II, and Earl Eaton, a uranium prospector who had grown up in and surveyed the area's wild ranges. In 1957 they climbed to the summit of the mountain now known as Vail and discovered a skier's dream: the Back Bowls, 4,000 acres of open glades. The Bowls were formed unintentionally when the Ute Indians set "spite fires" to the timberland in retaliation for being driven out by ranchers and miners. After five years of seeking permits, drafting agreements and uncertainty, the partners were near financial ruin. In the end, the problems were resolved, and the fabulous Vail resort was created.
Vail is an almost perfect example of mountain and village design. The development is divided into the residential East Vail, upscale Vail Village, and the more modest Lionshead.
Vail is American skiing's "king of the hills." Vail logs more "skier days", the ski industry's measure of ticket sales, than any other resort in the country. Its merger with Keystone and Breckenridge, has made Vail the world's largest ski company.
The satellite ski area of Beaver Creek, developed in the 1980's, has quickly become a substantial resort in its own right. Beaver Creek's strength is that it is one of the best ski areas in America for lower intermediates. The linking of Beaver Creek's trail system with that of neighboring Arrowhead Resort and with Bachelor Gulch, a new area between the two, has added 30% more novice and intermediate terrain to the area and created a European-style "village-to-village" ski experience.
Spring and summer at Vail bring a wealth of additional opportunities. The mountain streams and lakes provide superb fishing, canoeing, rafting, and the ski trails are open for mountain biking. Horseback riding in the rugged back country is another seasonal favorite, as are hiking, golf, balloon rides and tennis. All of these activities unfold against the spectacular backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, which are so striking in their beauty and grandeur that the first glimpse of them after at each visit to Vail literally takes one's breath away.
The Rockies, Vail, the surrounding White River National Forest, all provide peak esthetic and recreational experiences. All are ready and waiting to welcome you and your family year round.
Internationally known for
its incomparable world-class skiing and riding, the Vail Valley
additionally offers an exciting nightlife, unique shops, gourmet
dining and nonstop outdoor adventure, summer or winter.
Vail Mountain, 100 miles west of Denver, is larger than nearly every other North American ski area, and is linked by a well placed network of lifts and trails. There are 1,220 acres of varied runs on the front side, and the existence of the Back Bowls make this a skiers' heaven. Those same slopes provide the perfect trails for mountain bike devotees in summer. The village hosts a wide variety of festivals year round.
Consistently ranked the country's most popular ski resort by skiers and ski magazines almost since its inception, Vail has the look of a Tyrolean village, and is visited regularly by almost as many Europeans as Americans. This gives its restaurants, hotels, and shops a continental air. The size of the mountain and the varying degrees of difficulty and excellent condition of its trails are the main draw.
Vail and Aspen are often compared, and just as often, they are contrasted. Aspen is an authentic mining town. Vail resembles a Bavarian village. Gerald Ford, Dan Quayle, and John Sununu set the trend for the retreat of statesmen to Vail to escape the pressures of public life. Thornton Wilder, Ortega Y Gasset and Albert Schweitzer traveled to Aspen at the inception of the Aspen Institute, and other intellectuals and writers followed. Each resort area has its separate and distinct personality.
Two people with a vision planned what has become Vail. They were Pete Seibert, a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division that prepared for alpine warfare in the surrounding Gore and Sawatch ranges during World War II, and Earl Eaton, a uranium prospector who had grown up in and surveyed the area's wild ranges. In 1957 they climbed to the summit of the mountain now known as Vail and discovered a skier's dream: the Back Bowls, 4,000 acres of open glades. The Bowls were formed unintentionally when the Ute Indians set "spite fires" to the timberland in retaliation for being driven out by ranchers and miners. After five years of seeking permits, drafting agreements and uncertainty, the partners were near financial ruin. In the end, the problems were resolved, and the fabulous Vail resort was created.
Vail is an almost perfect example of mountain and village design. The development is divided into the residential East Vail, upscale Vail Village, and the more modest Lionshead.
Vail is American skiing's "king of the hills." Vail logs more "skier days", the ski industry's measure of ticket sales, than any other resort in the country. Its merger with Keystone and Breckenridge, has made Vail the world's largest ski company.
The satellite ski area of Beaver Creek, developed in the 1980's, has quickly become a substantial resort in its own right. Beaver Creek's strength is that it is one of the best ski areas in America for lower intermediates. The linking of Beaver Creek's trail system with that of neighboring Arrowhead Resort and with Bachelor Gulch, a new area between the two, has added 30% more novice and intermediate terrain to the area and created a European-style "village-to-village" ski experience.
Spring and summer at Vail bring a wealth of additional opportunities. The mountain streams and lakes provide superb fishing, canoeing, rafting, and the ski trails are open for mountain biking. Horseback riding in the rugged back country is another seasonal favorite, as are hiking, golf, balloon rides and tennis. All of these activities unfold against the spectacular backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, which are so striking in their beauty and grandeur that the first glimpse of them after at each visit to Vail literally takes one's breath away.
The Rockies, Vail, the surrounding White River National Forest, all provide peak esthetic and recreational experiences. All are ready and waiting to welcome you and your family year round.
The ingredients of an unforgettable Vail Valley Vacation are many: The freedom to enjoy the slopes, snowshoe through the backcountry, unwind at one of the many spas or stay overnight in a secluded Yurt.
Skiing Facilities
Beaver Creek:
4,040-ft vertical drop; 1,625 skiable acres; 27% beginner, 39% intermediate, 34% advanced; 6 high-speed quad chairs, 3 triple chairs, 4 double chairs, 1 surface lift.
Vail:
3,335-ft vertical drop; 4,644 skiable acres; 21% beginner, 31% intermediate, 48% advanced on the front side; 13% intermediate, 87% advanced in the back bowls; 1 gondola, 10 high-speed quad chairs, 1 regular quad, 3 triple chairs, 5 double chairs, 11 surface lifts.
Arrowhead:
The mountain has a 1,700 foot vertical drop, from the 9,100 summit. Snowboarding is permitted. Open mid-December - April 9-3:30. (970) 926-3029 Fax: (970) 926-2321. Located 2 miles west of Beaver Creek on US 6, this is a small family oriented area. It has one high speed chairlift and a beginners surface lift, serving 15 runs for novices and intermediates. Another lift connects it with Beaver Creek Resort.
Other Attractions
Even if you don't ski, there are many reasons to head to the Rocky Mountains for a memorable Vail Valley experience.
Sleighride Dinners
4 Eagle Ranch (970) 926-3372 Winter horseback rides, sleigh rides and sleigh ride dinners.
Seasons at the Green/Steve Jones Sleighrides. (970) 476-8057 Sleigh rides and sleigh ride dinners just 1.5 miles from Vail Village.
Snowmobile Tours
Timberline Tours (970) 476-1414 half day and full day snowmobiling tours
Nova Guides (970) 949-4232 snowmobile rentals, 1 hour, 2 hour, half day and full day snowmobiling tours, and dinner rides
Backcountry / Snocat Skiing
Hidden Treasure Yurt Backcountry yurt for nightly rental
Paragon Guides Guided Backcountry Skiing Trips (970) 926-5299
Nova Guides non-skiing backcountry snowcat tours in White River National Forest.
Trail Wise Guides - Offers day skiing trips in the Colorado Backcountry.
Vail Snow Cat Tours - A full day backcountry powder skiing experience that is truly unforgettable.
Snowshoeing
Colorado Bike Service Snowshoe Rentals & Sales
Base Mountain Sports Snowshoe Rentals & Sales
Lazy J Ranch Daily guided snowshoeing adventures.
Paragon Guides Offers multi-day trips in the Colorado Backcountry.
Trail Wise Guides Offers day snowshoeing trips in the Colorado Backcountry.
Ice Skating
Dobson Ice Arena 970/479-2270
Beaver Creek Ice Rink 970/845-5248
Warm Weather Activities
Fishing and Paddleboats
Nottingham Lake (970) 949-4280
Piney River Ranch (970) 476-3941, rents canoes, small boats for fishing, and also supplies fly rods and waders.
Ballooning
Camelot Balloons (970) 926-2435
Mountain Balloon Adventures (970) 476-2553
Cattle Drives
For those who have always dreamed of joining a cattle drive: 4 Eagle Ranch (Exit 157 off I70) ; then 4 miles north on Colorado 131. (970) 926-3372. Also chuck wagon dinners and hayrides.
Golf
Usually mid-May to mid-October: Beaver Creek Resort Golf Course (970) 949-7123, designed by Robert Trent Jones
The Vail Golf Course (970) 479-2260
Eagle-Vail Golf Course (970) 949-5267 is a challenging course of 18 holes.
Hiking and Backpacking
Contact Holy Cross Ranger District Office: (970) 827-5715
Supplies and information: Vail Mountaineering (970) 476-4223
Horseback Riding
Spraddle Creek Ranch (970) 476-6941 specializes in family outings.
Beaver Creek Stables (970) 845-7770
Piney River Ranch (970) 476-3941
Jeep Tours
Nova Tours (970)949-4232 offers guided tours in 4 wheel drive vehicles.
Llama Treking
Paragon Guides (970) 926-5299 offers llama treks to groups and families. June-Sept. Trek lasts 3-6 days.
Mountain Biking
Visitors can take the Lionshead Gondola to Eagle's Nest on Vail Mountain and rent mountain bikes and all accessories and ride the summer slopes, returning the bikes at the base of the gondola. Check at the gondola for rates and names of rental shops.
River Rafting
The eagle River is a favorite of white water rafters, especially during the Spring thaw. Gentle-rough rides are available.
Colorado River Runs (970) 653-4292, specializes in family rafting trips.
Nova Guides (970) 949-4232
Lakota River Guides (970) 476-RAFT
Betty Ford Alpine Garden
970 476-0103
In Ford Park, 1/4 mile east of main village, next to Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Open before and after snow season: dawn to dusk
Admission free. Donation accepted
One of the highest alpine gardens in the world. Actually, it is three small gardens each with a different theme. The gardens are filled with over 2,000 vividly blooming plants. All are in walking distance from the Vail Nature Center.
Colorado Ski Museum/ Ski Hall of Fame
231 South Frontage Road East in the Vail Village Transportation Center 970 476-1876
Tues-Sun 10-5 by appointment only in May and October.
Admission Free.
The museum gives the history of transportation across areas of snow and ice. Snow sports began in Colorado in the 1800's and this museum makes the journey forward both entertaining and enlightening.
The Vail Wildlife Center
Guided tours daily 11-noon and 1-2
Recommended for ages 6 with good attention span or 7 and up
Located in a small hut directly in front of the gondola exit. Features interactive displays of wildlife and local flowering plants. Guided tours are offered twice a day.
For the whole family: there are two self-guided tours at which children can go at their own pace. They are indicated by signs: Eagle's View and Lower Fireweed.
Tubing is also offered at this location from noon-10pm. Fee is per hour, including tube. Reduced fee for ages 12 and under.
Ice skating: Noon - 10pm same rates as tubing; includes skates.
Sledding: Noon to 10pm
Snowboard park and half pipes: 8:30am-10pm equipment rental and lessons available.
Vista Bahn and Wildwood Express Chairlifts
Vista Bahn chairlift begins at the base of the mountain in Vail Village and the Wildwood begins mid-mountain near the top of the Vista Bahn lift.
970 476-9090
Daily 10-4:30
Fee per person. Ages 4 and up.
Bike transport extra.
Vista Bahn offers a high speed ride up Vail Mountain. From there you can catch the Wildwood Express lift to the top. Hiking and biking in season.
Wildwood Restaurant and Smokehouse are at the top.
Ski Info
Lessons and Programs
The ski schools at Vail and Beaver Creek are among the best in the country, with several specialty classes and excellent children's programs. For more information, call the Vail and Beaver Creek Ski School tel. 970/476-3229.
Lift Tickets
Multiday tickets for up to seven days are available, although per-day savings are minimal. Tickets are good at both Vail and Beaver Creek, as well as at Breckenridge and Keystone.
Rentals
Breeze Ski Rentals, with four locations in the Vail/Beaver Creek area, offers full rental packages for as low as $13 a day for multi-day rentals. Call tel. 800/525-0314 for advanced reservations. For high-performance rentals, a good choice is Kenny's Double Diamond 520 Lionshead Mall, Vail 81657, tel. 970/476-5500 or 800/466-2704.
Backcountry Skiing
The 10th Mountain Hut and Trail System reaches far into Vail's backcountry; one route continues to Aspen. Maps, equipment, and other information are available and hut reservations should be made at least a month in advance by calling tel. 970/925-5775. Rates range between $22 and $32 per person per night. If you aren't familiar with the trail system, hiring a guide is highly recommended. In Vail, contact Paragon Guides tel. 970/926-5299.
Track Skiing
To reach Beaver Creek's cross-country trail network, McCoy Park tel. 970/845-5313, you must ride the Strawberry Park chair lift. This is a bonus, for it gets you far enough from the resort village to give you a rare sense around Vail, anyway that you're in a pristine mountain environment. The 32 km 20 mi of groomed tracks have a fair amount of ups and downs -- or perhaps because the elevation is above 9,500 ft, it just seems that way. The trail fee is $17 for a full day. Lessons, rentals, and snowshoe tours are available through the Vail ski school tel. 970/476-3229. The cross-country skiing at the Vail Nordic Center tel. 970/476-8366 is less inspiring -- a network laid out on what in the summer is a golf course -- but it's also free.
Other Activities
The Activities Desk of Vail tel. 970/476-9090 or the Beaver Creek Resort Concierge tel. 970/949-9090 can arrange a variety of activities, including dogsledding, hot-air ballooning, and Sno-Cat skiing.
Bobsledding
Vail's on-mountain bobsled run, a 2,900-ft course, begins below Mid-Vail the large restaurant about halfway up the mountain. Neither the course nor the sleds are quite up to an Olympic standard, but speeds of up to 50 mph are still possible. The sleds hold up to four people.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobile tours are conducted at Piney River Ranch 970/476-9090, just north of Vail. Rates include helmets, snowmobile suits, and boots, and sometimes meals, and range from $72 to $135 per person.
Shopping
Knox Galleries
100 E, Meadow Drive
(970) 476-5171
Bronze sculptures and Impressionist paintings.
Gotthelf's Gallery
122 E. Meadow Drive
(970) 476-1777
Specializes in glass and innovative jewelry
Kitchenworks
100 E. Meadow Drive
(970) 476-2817
Carries fine cookware, cookbooks and everything for the gourmet's kitchen(s)
The Christmas Store
Gateway Plaza
(970) 479-0232
Everything for Christmas that can't be found anywhere else: unique ornaments, music boxes, and a wide selection of designer chocolates.
Gore Creek Gold
183 E. Gore Creek Drive
(970) 476-0900
Gold jewelry and Southwest style silver and beaded jewelry.
Menzel
Gateway Plaza
(970) 476-9238
Unique items for the home: lamps with unusual fabric shades, furniture, sculpture, and handmade wooden items.
